Whiteboarding has become a popular practice within the professional world, particularly in the tech industry. It is an effective tool to not only hone one’s skills in problem solving, but also to illustrate ideas in a visual, dynamic format. Whiteboarding can be used as an asset in job interviews and team collaboration, and it is an invaluable skill to have in any professional environment. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of whiteboarding and how to successfully apply it to the workplace. We will examine the strategies and techniques to ensure your whiteboarding skills are up to par and demonstrate how whiteboarding can help you reach your professional goals. Additionally, we will explore various tools used in whiteboarding and how to use them to create a compelling and effective presentation. By the end of this blog post, you should have a solid understanding of how to use whiteboarding as an advantageous tool for career advancement.
What is whiteboarding?
Why is whiteboarding important?
It can be simpler for the team to keep track of earlier ideas and to visualize the concepts they are talking about when ideas are organized on a whiteboard.
To discuss the features they want to include in their new product, for instance, a software development company might hold a whiteboarding session. Members of the team make suggestions for new features during the whiteboarding session. The team leader can then use lines to connect ideas to demonstrate how various features would interact with one another. The team can share pictures of examples from rival teams during this virtual whiteboarding session to help clarify their ideas.
What is whiteboarding?
To generate fresh ideas, groups can use the whiteboarding technique. If the team has the necessary software, it can happen either in person or virtually. Participants in a virtual whiteboarding session can share and work with digital files in a common workspace. Whiteboarding is a tool used by businesses and organizations of all sizes to facilitate the collaborative and creative generation of ideas.
8 tips for better whiteboarding
The following eight suggestions will help you run more effective whiteboarding sessions:
1. Have the right tools
There are primarily two methods for running a whiteboarding session. The first is using a dry erase whiteboard. If your team members are in the same place and you have a large enough board that you can use, this is probably the best option. You can use a large piece of paper in place of a whiteboard if you don’t have one, but you won’t be able to erase things from the paper like you could from a whiteboard.
You can also conduct your whiteboarding session online. If you have a trustworthy method of communication, like video call software and whiteboarding software, this is feasible. All team members can view your virtual whiteboard while you type messages, share files, or upload images using these tools. When you want to hold a brainstorming session with remote workers or when you want to use your whiteboard for more than just writing messages, this technique is a good option.
2. Erase old notes
It’s a good idea to remove any notes that are still written on the physical board before beginning a new whiteboarding session. For instance, if another group used the same board, their notes from that session may be present, as well as notes from your own session. Before you wipe the board clean, kindly take a picture or make a copy of the content in case someone needs it.
3. Set goals for the session
Set objectives for what you hope to achieve before the whiteboarding session begins. Remember that your whiteboarding session will last longer the more goals you set. Write the goals you’ve chosen at the top of the board so you can refer to them and keep the team motivated.
You can set a variety of objectives for a whiteboarding session. You could try to come up with fresh brand slogans, talk about concepts for a fresh advertising effort, or come up with fresh features to include in your most recent product. Specific, measurable goals can help focus your teams efforts. For instance, you could write “create three new marketing ideas and identify their elements” instead of “create new marketing ideas” in your goal statement. This way, you can adjourn the meeting once your team meets the predetermined objective.
4. Establish communication rules
It’s helpful to establish communication rules at the start of the session if you’re working with a large group. Communication rules determine how group members contribute to the discussion. For instance, you could decide that everyone who wants to contribute must raise their hand first. Members won’t speak at the same time because of this, and you’ll hear everyone’s opinions.
5. Remain focused on the goal
Your group might start to veer off course as you lead the whiteboarding session. If the conversation veers off course, gently nudge it back in the direction of the objective. Making reference to the most recent argument made regarding the subject and posing a question about it is an easy way to accomplish this.
6. Organize while you work
Your whiteboard might become cluttered or difficult to read as your whiteboarding session goes on. Try to plan your thoughts as you go to avoid this. For instance, if you initially wrote down suggestions on the board in various locations, you can rewrite them in a list format under a heading and then delete your earlier notes.
Making a template before the meeting can be one tactic that may be helpful. For instance, if you’re whiteboarding concepts for new product features, you can make categories before the meeting and then add new concepts to the relevant category as they come up.
7. Save important notes
Make a separate document out of any important ideas you have after the whiteboarding session. You might be able to simply print the board or copy the ideas to a new document if you use a virtual whiteboarding tool. When using a physical whiteboard, record the crucial concepts on a different piece of paper or capture the whiteboard in a photo. You can also give one of the team members this responsibility and ask them to jot down significant ideas as you proceed with the whiteboarding session.
Making a separate document makes it easier to share the ideas with team members after the session and ensures that your session notes are preserved.
8. Finish by assigning tasks
After the meeting, assign tasks pertaining to the objectives your team established. For instance, based on suggestions from the meeting, you could assign team members to conduct additional research. You might be able to give each participant in a virtual whiteboard session a task directly through the software so they are aware of what is expected of them.
FAQ
What is whiteboarding used for?
A whiteboard can be used to explain and teach, plan and create with the group, write down ideas, visualize concepts, and many other things. Online whiteboards can serve the same purpose as physical whiteboards, but without their restrictions.
What does the term whiteboarding mean?
Working together on a whiteboard during brainstorming sessions is known as “whiteboarding.” This can be done remotely or in person. Whiteboarding sessions virtually employ a tool that enables drawing, placing sticky notes, chat, sending files, and typing notes.
What is the best whiteboard site?
Whiteboarding sessions are meetings that take place in a classroom or office setting using a dry erase board. During meetings, one or more participants can quickly doodle, edit, and erase pictures and text on a dry-erase board.
